The
ISRC (International Standard Recording
Code) is an international standard code that works as a basic identifier of
recordings. This electronic alphanumeric code has 12 digits and is separated
into four elements, representing the country, the first owner of the recording,
the year of the recording and a sequence.

BR

-

XXX

-

10

-

00001

Country Code

BR-Brazil

(2 digits)

Producer Code

(3 digits)

Year of
Recording

(2 digits)

Sequence (5 digits)

The ISRC is encoded onto the phonogram or videogram (clip) by the
producer during the pre-masterization process, in order to allow exchange of
information and simplify management. All the requests to install the ISRC must
be done directly with the music association to which the right-owner is a
member.

Benefits of ISRC:

1. Each time a song is used the ISRC
code allows identification of right-owners and the percentages corresponding to
their rights. Identification is done through specific
hardware, thus facilitating the control of protected recordings and also of
protected works.

2. It facilitates the distribution and
collection of rights (for public performances and private copying).

3. Helps to fight piracy, as the
assignation of the code implies the insertion of a digitalized signal on the
phonogram.

4. Can be easily implemented and the
cost is very low, as it does not require specific investment in equipment or
technologies. Recording companies only need to have a structure able to deal
with the administration of ISRC.

5. The benefits for communication media
are:

a. Broadcasters may automatize the
counting and control of recordings, saving efforts and investment in terms of
time and staff, avoiding the current long and costly control processes;

b. The ISRC provides a uniform system
to control the musical products held by broadcasters;

c. Broadcasters may use the ISRC digits
to identify their own music programs during collection of performance revenues.